Approved permits for shallow water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico have dropped significantly since the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling earlier this year, with only one approved new well permit so far in July. In the 11 months prior to the moratorium, the federal government approved an average of 14 permits per month in the Gulf of Mexico.

The first attempt at imposing the moratorium met outspoken resistance by Gulf coast residents. After federal courts threw out the first ban, the Obama administration regrouped and issued a new ban on July 12th, this time banning drilling regardless of water-depth. Ken Salazar said of the new ban:

Like the deepwater drilling moratorium lifted by the District Court on June 22, the deepwater drilling suspensions ordered today apply to most deepwater drilling activities and could last through November 30…the May 28 moratorium proscribed drilling based on specific water depths; the new decision does not suspend activities based on water depth, but on the basis of the drilling configurations and technologies.

According to Lafayette, Louisiana’s The Advertiser these “configurations and technologies” are pretty much the same regardless of water-depth. “Since shallow-water wells often utilize floating drilling platforms,” which is one of the key pieces of banned equipment, “the ban in fact applies to most shallow-water drilling.”

While off-shore oil drilling is lurching to a standstill, there’s plenty of fuel being added to the fire of outrage by Gulf coast residents being affected by the moratorium. A “Rally for Economic Survival” took place Wednesday at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, where it was attended by more than 11,000 local citizens who spoke with what Opelousas, Louisiana “Daily World” called “a remarkable degree of unanimity.”

Speakers from across state and local government and industries declared that, “The Obama administration’s six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling must be lifted before it does more damage to the region’s economy — and to the nation’s capacity to produce energy.”

New requirements for shallow-water drilling are causing permitting delays that could lead to significant additional economic impacts on top of those caused by the deepwater drilling moratorium. Shallow water OCS drilling activities support thousands of Louisiana jobs in addition to those related to deepwater activity.

Offshore drilling bans stretch far beyond simply hurting Louisiana. Dr. David Kreutzer and John Ligon report that the economic impact of a total offshore drilling ban could be nationally crippling. It would: 1) Reduce GDP by $5.5 trillion; 2) Reduce job growth by more than 1 million jobs by 2015 and more than 1.5 million jobs by 2030, and 3) Increase the total expenditures for imported oil by nearly $737 billion.

The Heritage Foundation remains on the scene in the Gulf states, surveying the devastating impact the misguided federal response has had so far. Citizens affected by the drilling moratorium are clamoring to get back to work, and fearful that they might not be able to if the administration continues to compound the damage done by the largest oil disaster to ever wreak havoc on our country.

Simply, the planned destruction of our economy. This is an example of many changes every day, with this administration, that we will be reading about for generations. The intended consequences of this administration are clearly devastating over the very long term. Obama, Pelosi and Reid – the Financial Bermuda Triangle!

Despite his moratorium being shot-down twice by the Federal Courts, Obama is

now preparing to act on an "executive order" that would control areas of the Gulf to only those activities (drilling, fishing, etc.) he chooses. He is now delibertly

by-passing our Federal Courts by EO. If this is not a DICTATORSHIP, then what is it?

When confronted by our Gov. Bobby Jindal about Louisiana job loss, Obama stated that the worker can apply to BP for relief. If that doesn't work out, they can file for unemployment. Obama wants every person in this country fully

dependent on government hand-outs. He wants total socialism.

Again, Obama and his lackeys have stated their intentions to drive this country into socialism and Marxism. Now he is doing exactly what he said and no one

seems to be able to stop him. What has happened to the people this country that

will allow this type of low-life to infest our rebublic government and drag it into

Is there any doubt that this administration is out to destroy the offshore drilling industry. This is the result of all of the global waeming zealot who do not mind destroying the economy on the altar of climate change. The nation is in grave danger.

This jerk is hell bent on ruining this country. he has no interest in what the citizens want, he's a socialist/communist and wants everone to bow to his ugly agenda. he sneers at us and his cool aid drinkers lawd "holy holy holy". still many too many citizens watch major channel "news" programs and therefore have no idea what this devil is doing. he's a very bad man folks and he's out to get you, and me, and that guy over there too, everyone. Either kowtow or go to the camp, those are your/my choices, well that or fight back with all the will that you have. Definitely keep your powder dry.

All part of the Obama plan. Notice how the court's directive does not matter to him. What can we expect if the judge in AZ rules against Obama and his room mate, Holder. Another law suit or an appeal. The guy has no respect for the law, but tells everyone else to do so, For you Bush haters who elected Obama; go live in Venezuela, will you. Just as with the drilling ban is eliminating jobs, Obama is seeking to take away our liberty. Yea Bush was listening to your conversations; right and the Patriot Act was intrusive and big brother was watching. Al untrue then. Well now Obama is doing both the Patriot and monitoring phone calls and is going to count body fat., requiring your doctor to report if the fat exceeds the state guidelines. And by the way, Leftists, we are still in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gutimo remains open for business. And the topic of this amazingly accurate Heritage article, we will pay $5.00 / gallon if Obama has his way. It is all a part of the Obama plan. How's that hope and change you voted for ?

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